Designer Toy Awards 2011..!!!

I had a blast at the first annual Designer Toy Awards but it was probably because I managed to get in. A number of nominees whose names were being called for awards were either outside or somewhere else because they couldn't get in. WTF? How does that happen? Shame on the whoever organized this thing to allow such a travesty. I was also quite pleased that our little niche of the toy world was not only recognized but also won a few awards. I felt the Skullbrain community was well represented. Well, at the very least, the most obnoxious. That counts too, right? Big ups to Carl for The Best Collection. Congratulations to Super 7 for Best Production Toy.





L'amour Supreme was robbed for Breakthrough Artist


Congratulations to Kirby and Whitney for Best Online and Physical Toy Store. wow..!




Congratulations to Joe and Kaiju Chronicle for Top Five Blogs


Paul Kaiju also got robbed


Here is the man the really won the award. Frank Supiot and 2 months living in China...!!

LAST DAY TO VOTE at the Designer Toy Awards 2011

Today is the last day to vote. Let's hang out at the Monkey King party to celebrate...! Thank you again for all your support over the years.

I am deeply honored to be nominated for "Best Blog" at the Designer Toy Awards. After 5+ years of blogging nearly every day on the toys, art, gadgets and what not that I find interesting, it's nice to know that some of you share the same interests. Researching, writing, photographing and customizing Japanese toys has been a passion that has given me enormous personal satisfaction. I have met and made friends with so many extremely talented artists, designers and fellow collectors. Thank you for all the support over the years. To be nominated alongside great blogs such as Vinylpulse, Toys R Evil, Spanky Stokes, Battlegrip, Tomopop, Toy Break,Jeremyriad and of course Kaiju Chronicle is an award all by itself.



Cast your VOTE for toybot studios HERE

Designer Toys Awards 2011 Community Choice: toybot studios Personal Picks:

Designer Toy Awards Community Choice is now open for YOUR VOTES...! REGISTER HERE and cast your votes. The following are my personal picks. Click on the pictures to VOTE..!

Artist of the Year: Very tough choice. Ashley Wood, Bwana Spoons, Carlos Enriquez-Gonzalez, Brent Nolasco, KAWS, Mark Nagata, and many others deserve your serious consideration. But I have to give it to Paul Kaiju. I've been a fan since his first show at Super 7 over 5 years ago. His customs were some of the earliest toys to turn me onto this scene.


Best Online Toy Store: My vote goes to Lulubell. With a steady stream of Japanese toys from our favorite designers, they have the best pipeline. Amazing customer service from Amy the Toy Temptress. Our man Luke is constantly searching for new artists and toys in Japan to satiate the beast within.


Best Toy Store: Rotofugi and Super 7 get very high marks, but when I think about that childhood sensation of walking into a toy store, Toy Tokyo does the best to recreate that feeling. This place is a real toy store.


Best Collection: In terms of sheer volume, you cannot deny Gino Joukar's collection. But Carl Kent Smith's is literally all killer and no filler. Almost every single toy in his collection brings tears to the die-hard.


Best Toy from a Comic: Very close second goes to 3A Tomorrow Queen. Especially the Chinese New Years version. Yowza. But i'm a huge fan of Ben Seto and his comic "Usagi Jane and the Skull Bunnies". The plushie Skull Bunny is a great toy and true to the comic.


Most Influential Event: SDCC is really probably the most influential event, but still my vote goes to the amazing Love Movement show curated by Jeremy Brautman. It was a magical show. One of the best of the year. Great art, customs, music, rapping. Wonderful.


Purposely omitted: Fan Favorite and Best DIY Platform

Designer Toy Awards 2011: Board Voted Awards: toybot studios personal picks

I am not on the DTA Board, but if I was, here are some of my picks:

Toy of the Year: Some interesting nominations. Stand outs for me include 3A, PK's Boss Carrion, Greasebat, and Reckless x Mike Giant. And although it came out in 2009, I have to give it to KAWS x Sorayama. This is one of my favorite pieces in my collection. I nearly fainted when I first saw it. Completely die-cast and heavy..! Sorayama??!! What else do you need?


Manufacturer of the Year: RealxHead, Secret Base and especially Gargamel since they make all the Super 7 toys immediately come to mind. But I have to give it to 3A. These guys are a machine. Pumping out toys faster than you can say "Bertie". Despite the criticism on business practices and long waits for pre-orders, the quality and paint application are world class. Fresh toys from new licenses will keep them going strong in 2012.


Lifetime Achievement: Michael Lau was one of the guys that started this designer toy craze back in the day, but it's PUSHEAD who has been the most influential artist.


Break Through Artist: Lots of great choices here. but I have to give it to L'amour Supreme. He's one of the most dynamic artists, painters, illustrators around today. Alongide the MISHKA Mafia, Joel will continue to rise.


Outstanding Production: Just the thought of Frank Supiot living in China for two months inspecting each and every Stormtrooper is enough to vote for this category. Outstanding quality control.


Best Customizer: As a customizer with many friends in this category, it's difficult to choose just one. Cris Rose, Drilone, FPLUS, Grimsheep, Jan Calleja, Leecifer, Rotobox, Task One, Chauskoskis all have incredible work. But I have to give it to J*Ryu. The magic he creates out of some of these toys is Disney-esque.


Best Self-Produced: It's hard not to go with Paul Kaiju, but the description below says it all. LASH has gone from customizer to full on producer of original vinyl toys made in Japan in just a few short years. He did this against all odds and has won critical acclaim from collectors around the world.


Best Collaboration: I think the FERG x Brandt Peters Trouble Boys are the best Squadt figures period. But I have to give it to Itokin Park x Amanda Visell Bed Monster. The two styles blend perfectly for an unusual resin set that feeds the imagination. I still need to pick one of these up.


Best Licensed Product: The Super 7 Stormtrooper is awesome, but the KAWS Pinocchio is sublime. Wonderful toy in your hands. I would like to see more KAWS x Disney collaborations.


Best Functional Toy: Hands down, the Incubot USB Voltron. More toy than USB, this thing will help you win the cubicle wars.


Best 1/6 Scale: Hard not to choose 3A, but i'm giving it to Hot Toys War Machine. This thing is nearly perfect. The entire Iron Man Series is amazing.


Purposely omitted: Best Mini Series and Best Plush Design